About Democracy for NYC

Democracy for NYC (DFNYC) is committed to the ideals espoused by Democracy for America, the organization founded by Howard Dean, and the national network of local coalition groups dedicated to the same.

We work both locally and nationally to ensure that fiscally responsible and socially progressive candidates are elected at all levels of government. We develop innovative ways to advocate for the issues that matter to our members and support legislation which has a positive effect in our communities. We promote transparency and ethical practices in government. We engage people in the political process and give them the tools to organize, communicate, mobilize, and enact change on the local, state, and national level.

Democracy for America, the organization started by Howard Dean after his 2004 Presidential campaign, has weighed in on the primary in the Governor's race. They have endorsed Cynthia Nixon.

From the DFA press release:

"With Cynthia Nixon, the proudly progressive state of New York finally has the chance to have a governor in Albany who shares their values in the battle for racial and economic justice --and DFA members across the state and nationwide will stand side by side with her in this fight." -- Charles Chamberlain, Executive Director, Democracy for America"

Note: Our group, Democracy for NYC, is a local group of Democracy for America. Like other DFA groups across the country, our endorsement process is separate from DFA. That said, we have many members in NYC that are actively supporting Cynthia Nixon's campaign and hoping it drives Gov. Cuomo to listen to the concerns of the progressive grassroots throughout the state.

Court Upholds Voter Purge in 5-4 decision There are few better arguments for the need of progressive to unite and get rid of Trump than the 5-4 decision upholding a State's right to purge voters from its rolls when they haven't voted in awhile. Justice Neil Gorsuch, appointed by Trump after Senate Republicans refused to allow Barack Obama his constitutional right to appoint a justice, joined the majority in this opinion upholding a right-wing strategy for voter suppression. The case is Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute. Read more at:https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/supreme-court-voting-ohio-w521452

Arbitration Clauses in Employment Contracts: How They Could Affect the #MeToo Movement: In Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, the Court made it harder for wronged employees to sue their companies if their employment contracts include an arbitration clause. This may be the first time DFNYC has ever linked to Glamour magazine article in our newsletter. But this is a clear concise analysis of the arbitration case, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's dissent, and the implications for the #MeToo movement, but Glamour writer Julyssa Lopez: 'What You Should Know About the Supreme Court Arbitration Ruling That Ruth Bader Ginsburg Called 'Egregiously Wrong'https://www.glamour.com/story/supreme-court-workplace-arbitration-ruling-ruth-bader-ginsburg

Court allows Bakery's Refusal to Make Wedding Cake for Gay Couple You may have heard about MasterPiece CakeShop. Many critics of the Court's 7-2 decision feel that it sets up a slippery slope for discriminating against LGBTQ people, but on the bright side, the Court's decision was not as bad as some feared. Here's an interesting analysis and background from Vox: 'The ruling is far from ideal for LGBTQ advocates, but the worst was avoided.'https://www.vox.com/identities/2018/6/4/17425294/supreme-court-masterpiece-cakeshop-gay-wedding-cake-baker-rulingIt is unclear how the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision will be interpreted or exploited going forward. Discrimination against LGBTQ people should not be sanctioned or encouraged. Democracy for NYC is working hard to prevent this by joining with our progressive friends to take back Congress and fight the Trump Administration.

When: Saturday, June 16th 12pmWhere: Morningside Heights Library (2900 Broadway between 113th &114th St.) in the Community Room. Take the Elevator to C level.

Details from Broadway Dems:

How do we win elections? We get more votes. What helps? Register every eligible voter.

Please Join us Saturday June 16th at the Morningside Heights Library (2900 Broadway between 113th &114th St.) in the Community Room at 12 pm. (You do not need a library card to enter and you do not need to preregister - just show up and take the elevator down to C level.)

Learn how to properly register first time voters, help voters with change of address, help voters change party registration and other voter registration information. Led by Diane Burrows, from the League of Women Voters in NYC, we'll be talking about all the logistics of voter registration.

Please printout or review the League of Women Voters NYC voter registration training guide in preparation for the training.For the training guide, visit this link and scroll down. It is the 5th link under "Additional Materials for Download."http://www.lwvnyc.org/publications&merchandise.html

*The League of Women Voters of the City of New York provides information about elections, voting and issues important to New Yorkers. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidates or political parties.

Food & Water Action, Progressive Democrats of America and People Demanding Action invite you to join us for the fifth webinar in our Climate & Energy Series. Food & Water Action will be joined by Biologist and Author Sandra Steingraber along with our allies Uwchlan Safety Coaltion and Texas Environmental Justice Advocate Services to examine how the petrochemical industry drives fracking, the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure, and the transatlantic trade of toxic chemicals.

This is a global issue that can only be solved by a massive political mobilization. We hope you will join us.

- Tyler Van Kirk

(6) June is Pride Month!

June is Pride month and NYC is one of the best places to celebrate. While the most famous event is the march and festival on Sunday the 24th, there are many other events, including a film festival, Cosplay and Pride, Bronx Pride (this Sunday) etc. For a list of events, visit this link:https://www.nycpride.org/events/

Support the Workplace Democracy Act, co-sponsored by Bernie Sanders and Kirsten Gillibrand. This act would, among other things:

1. End "right to work for less" laws by repealing Section 14(b) of the Taft Hartley Act, which has allowed 28 states to pass legislation eliminating the ability of unions to collect fair share fees from those who benefit from union contracts and activities.

2. Require that when a majority of workers in a bargaining unit sign valid authorization cards to join a union, they must have a union.

3. Companies would not be allowed to deny or delay a first contract with workers who have voted to join a union.

4. Unions would be given the right to have their voice heard through secondary boycotts and picketing. And workers would have the right to know when their company spends millions of dollars running anti-union campaigns.

The bill would also stop employers from ruthlessly exploiting workers by misclassifying them as independent contractors or denying them overtime by falsely categorizing them as a “supervisor.”

(8) Nobody is Above the Law-- ACLU Mueller Rapid Response Rallies ~This is a Text list you WANT to be on!

MoveOn, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and other progressive organizations are preparing for 'Rapid Response Rallies' for a scenario in which President Trump fires Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller or his direct superior at the Justice Department, Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein. Firing either one of them will provoke a Constitutional crisis and we must be ready to speak out. For a list of rallies, or to create your own, please go to:

Weblinks

A local coalition group of Democracy for America since 2004

Democracy for NYC (DFNYC) is committed to the ideals espoused by Democracy for America, the organization founded by Howard Dean, and the national network of local coalition groups dedicated to the same.